No debate between Democrats Magee, Hennessy in 121st Assembly District

The debate over whether the Democratic Party candidates for the 121st Assembly District seat will debate may have come to an end Monday.

It looks like a negative.

Democratic challenger Michael Hennessy, a Sherrill City Commissioner, said incumbent Assemblyman William Magee, D-121, has “come up with another reason” to not debate.

For the past few weeks, there has been a back-and-forth between the two candidates concerning Hennessy’s debate and forum challenges.

Magee, who has held the Assembly seat since 1990, has said he would agree to a moderated debate among all candidates, including GOP candidate John Salka, scheduled at a time he is able to fit into his schedule.

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For two weeks in which Hennessy proposed a debate, Magee was out of town. Last Thursday, Hennessy challenged Magee to an Aug. 21 town-hall-style forum at Sherrill City Hall, but that is now cancelled, Hennessy said.

Magee says that he prefers a traditional debate with a moderator.

“His format does not work for me,” Magee said Monday afternoon.

Hennessy has said over the last few weeks, he had been on the hunt for a moderator - which involved conversations with the League of Women Voters and a radio station - but a person to handle the job has not surfaced.

“I’m not going to debate where he sets the agenda,” Magee also said last week.

The Madison County and Oneida County Democratic committees have endorsed Hennessy over Magee, who in turn has been supported by the Otsego County Democrats.

The 121st Assembly District includes all of Madison County and portions of Oneida and Otsego counties.

Hennessy has said he supports a raise in the minimum wage, campaign finance reform and term limits.

Magee said that if re-elected he would continue to be a proponent of job creation, business expansion and farming initiatives in the district, and support proposals to reduce state taxes and energy costs.

The winner of the Sept. 9 Democratic primary will face off against Republican Salka, the Brookfield town supervisor, who has been endorsed by Madison and Otsego County Republicans. Oneida County Republicans endorsed Oneida City Councilor Brahim Zogby, who quit the race.

About the Author

Jolene Cleaver is a staff writer at the Oneida Dispatch. Her coverage focuses on crime, government and community events. Reach the author at jcleaver@oneidadispatch.com
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